Title: Implementation of a pain protocol including hypnosis in a burn centre

 
Objectives
The aim of this study is to present the educational program we used to implement hypnosis in our burn centre as part of our pain management protocol. The project will be described with respect to aims, conceptual framework, structure, target groups, teaching themes, and experiences.

Methods
In connection with other local professional environments promoting clinical hypnosis, we implemented a multidisciplinary educational program to integrate hypnosis and comfort talk into our pain and anxiety management protocol. The educational program (3 days of theoretical classes and 4 days of practical supervision) was targeted on all the professionals involved in burn care in our burn centre. Additional non-mandatory workshops were planned on a weekly basis.

Results
Between May 2015 and March 2017, more than 50% of professionals of our burn centre (including nurses, physiotherapists, plastic surgeons and anaesthesiologists) participated in the hypnosis educational program. After the course, all participants declared a high level of satisfaction and claimed an understanding of the importance of communication and the use of therapeutic language in the clinical practice. Some reported the integration of hypnosis in their clinical practice as challenging.

Discussion/Conclusion
Burn patients suffer daily from pain and anxiety related to procedures (dressing changes, wound cleansing, physical and occupational therapy).
On the basis of international guidelines, pain treatment should include pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies. In particular, hypnosis has been proved to be effective in pain management and have a tangible impact on the patients’outcome, reducing costs as well. Development of specific training programs may be an important contribution to its implementation.

Implementation of a pain protocol including hypnosis in a burn centre: the training program